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cricketandbooks · 5 months

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THE EYES — Dead Boy Detectives

Crystal Palace Surname Von Hoverkraft: angry, selfish, lonely, kind, lovable, and the bringer of justice for young girls.

THE BRAWN — Charles' Playlist THE HEART — Niko's Playlist THE BRAINS — Edwin's Playlist

This playlist follows Crystal's life both before and after joining the Dead Boy Detective Agency. I hope you enjoy!

Annotations about the songs in the playlist below the cut:

Tracks 1-5: Before

Track 1: The Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene by Hozier

This song is my interpretation of both how Crystal perceives herself, and more so how others perceive her before meeting David. She is brash, mean, hedonistic, and selfish. She is also charismatic, inviting, and has a way of making you feel like she truly sees you. She abuses her power over people but is so captivating that people don't always mind.

The song opens up with these lyrics:

"I watch the work of my kin, bold and boyful Toying somewhere between love and abuse Calling to join them, the wretched and joyful Shaking the wings of their terrible youths"

Crystal does not appear to have true friends before joining the Dead Boy Detectives, rather she has people she toys with, reveling in her youth, beauty and power.

"With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene"

Much like the verse before, Crystal had the ability to draw people in, before cutting them down with her tongue. She used her beauty and charisma to her advantage like codeine, taking away people's pain only to use it against them later. She is able to see what people want, and use that against them.

"Feeling more human and hooked on her flesh, I Lay my heart down with the rest at her feet Fresh from the fields, all fetor and fertile It's bloody and raw, but I swear it is sweet"

This stanza discusses more of what it's like to me close to Crystal, the kind of person who would make you "walk into traffic" but is able to get away with it. Her beauty is captivating, but it comes with a price: blood. It is a very visceral description of her manipulation of people.

Track 2: Primadonna by Marina and the Diamonds

While the last song discusses how it felt to know Crystal, this is more my interpretation how of Crystal perceived herself and how she chose to live her life.

"Primadonna girl, yeah All I ever wanted was the world I can't help that I need it all The primadonna life, the rise and fall You say that I'm kinda difficult But it's always someone else's fault Got you wrapped around my finger, babe You can count on me to misbehave"

This song also has a strong opener, laying out her greed, in both material items but also how she is greedy with people as well, having them "wrapped around her finger". She dodges responsibility for her actions using the same manipulation, and if that doesn't work she leaves. Whether it be other people's boyfriends or using information she gained from her powers to tell people hurtful things that make them reliant on her for truth, she uses her abilities to misbehave.

"Fill the void up with celluloid Take a picture, I'm with the boys Get what I want 'cause I ask for it Not because I'm really that deserving of it Living life like I'm in a play In the limelight, I want to stay I know I've got a big ego I really don't know why it's such a big deal, though"

This first line of the lyric begins to show the cracks in Crystal's armor. As egotistical as she is, without other people's attention, without feeling "special", she has no true purpose in life. Celluloid is a material that was used in film, a tool to be seen by others. But it is flammable, delicate, and flat, like Crystal at this time. She needed the limelight because without it, she felt small and unlovable. She may always get what she wants, but all of her wants are superficial and she doesn't have a higher purpose to work for.

Track 3: XS by Rina Sawayama

Building on the foundations of Primadonna, this song also explores Crystal's excessive and shallow view of the world and herself. However, this begins to dig further into how all of her "excess" makes her a smaller, more selfish person. This song also offers a possible explanation as what could have lead her down this path.

"Flex, when all that's left is immaterial And the price we paid is unbelievable And I'm taking in as much as I can hold Well, here are things you'll never know"

This verse lays bare the fragile foundation that Crystal lives in. She takes on so many negative and self destructive aspects on, stealing people's partners, maxing out credit cars, hurting people and driving herself further and further into isolation. The theme of selfishness making her smaller continues.

"Make me less, so I want more (more) Bought a zip coat at the mall Call me crazy, call me selfish Say I'm neither, would you believe her?"

The next stanza in the verse lays out her true reasons for acting as she does. Her parent's have made her feel small, neglecting her for their own power and status. As such, she doesn't feel as crazy or selfish for doing the same, as doing so makes her feel like her parents were right in their treatment of her. If they are wrong, then she has been made to feel small and unlovable for nothing.

Track 4: The Louvre by Lorde

The Louvre is my interpretation of Crystal's feelings when David comes into her life. They saw each other across the line and fell in love. At first, I picture them as a sort of "power couple" of toxic behavior. While both powerful in their own right, David is able to see through Crystal's fragile ego and manipulate her secret desire to be truly seen and loved. He gave her a reason to exist beyond her excessive lifestyle, their relationship becoming her higher purpose.

"I am your sweetheart psychopathic crush Drink up your movements, still I can't get enough I overthink your punctuation use Not my fault, just a thing that my mind do"

This lyric is emblematic of how I believe their relationship first started. Crystal thought she found someone who truly saw her for who she was, but really he was feeding her ego just enough to keep her constantly vying for his attention, causing her to overthink little things such as punctuation. Her image is important to her as well as to her family, and he manipulated that as well. She wanted him to believe she was this cool powerful medium, so she changed herself further for him. It is also interesting that instead of saying "it's not your fault" the lyric says says "it's not my fault". This could apply to Crystal in that she is constantly assures herself she is doing the right thing, and on the right path. She also insists that everything is her choice, so she doesn't have to admit that she is changing for him and he has more power over her than she knows is right.

"Our thing progresses I call and you come through Blow all my friendships To sit in hell with you But we're the greatest They'll hang us in the Louvre Down the back, but who cares—still the Louvre"

As their relationships progress Crystal becomes even more isolated than she already was. By the time of her possession, she had no one left to even notice she was missing. However, the cracks are showing in their relationship. They're simultaneously the "greatest" but not worthy of being front in center of the Louvre, rather staying hidden in the back. She's beginning to realize that this relationship isn't healthy, but continues anyway because he's all that she has left.

"Okay I know that you are not my type (still I fall) I'm just the sucker who let you fill her mind (but what about love?) Nothing wrong with it Supernatural Just move in close to me, closer, you'll feel it coasting"

In this moment she decides she will let him possess her. She knows in the back of her mind it isn't right ("(But what about love?)") but she convinces herself immediately that it will work out for the best ("Nothing wrong with it"). She has no one left to stop her and she continues to fall. He says "just move in close to me...you'll feel it coasting." When talking to the boys about her possession, she states "he must have lied" about the nature of it. I imagine he framed it as a new and deeper form of intimacy, of being "closer", and a kind of freedom in the form of "coasting", leaving her with no responsibilities, guilt, or shame.

Track 5: Ptolomea by Ethel Cain

This song to me represents Crystal's possession, describing both David and Crystal's feelings during the event. Ptolomea is also the circle of hell those who betrayed friends and guests go, and David betrayed Crystal's trust.

"I followed you in and I was with you there I invited you in twice, I did You love blood too much But not like I do Not like I do"

This is David's perspective. He was able to lure her in, first inviting himself into her life as her boyfriend, and then inviting himself inside her body to posses her completely. He mentioned in the show asking her if she missed "enjoying that copper taste in your mouth when you cause someone a lot of pain". This could refer to the taste of blood, which can be metallic, referring to the metaphorical blood on her hands from her past. However he's saying as much as Crystal also reveled in violence and power, she was still no match for him.

"What fear a man like you brings upon a woman like me (show me your face) Please, don't look at me I can see it in your eyes, he keeps looking at me Tell me, what have you done?"

Crystal always thought she wanted to be looked at. Admired and revered. But what she truly wanted was to be seen and loved. David only looked at her like a possession and a toy, and when that became clear Crystal finally understood that she did not want to be looked at anymore by people who don't understand her.

"I am the face Of love's rage I am the face Of love's rage"

Rage and love are two major themes of Chrystal's character, and untangling that becomes a key part of her arc over the season, turning rage into empowerment. However here she is left angry and small as David's "love" for her is actually the power he is able to use when he is in possession of her.

Tracks 6-11: Becoming

Track 6: Midnight Train by Gus Dapperton

It is on a train that Crystal meets the Dead Boy Detectives, and they change her life forever.

"On the midnight train Only love's in my way Picture-perfect world Crop me out of the frame And no, it's not to say Things will never change I'm afraid this time It'd take an act of fate"

Crystal is trapped inside herself, betrayed by the person she loved. While the world continues without her, arguably better without her in it, she is cropped out of her own life. She believes she has nothing and no one to save her.

"How could I trust myself? Runnin' right off of the rails How could I break the spell? Up this high, the ride prevails"

Having lived her life so fast, that fact that she was constantly assuring herself that she was right and in control was part of what got her in this situation. Finally able to see her life from the outside, she's beginning to see all of her mistakes.

"I can't slow up, I need you show up I can't slow the ride"

She can't stop what she has started, and for the first time in her life, she feels completely vulnerable and needing to ask for help. It comes.

Track 7: Lead Pipe by Movements

Finally free of his possession, Crystal can see David and her relationship accurately for the first time.

"And here we go, here we go, back to basics Another round of all the things I've heard before I'm staying low, staying low, turning pages I thought I killed you, now you're knocking at my door"

Having lost all her memories, she has truly gone "back to basics", however she remembers enough to realize all of David's old tricks to make her feel small. Even though she was exorcised, to her horror he still has her in his clutches.

"And I'm never gonna Give you what you want me to give You'll never play, won't let you play me again I know you'll try to cheat me if I let you in So I won't let you win"

She is able to assert herself now without the knowledge of who she was and how much she felt she needed him. Feeling only the sting and rage of betrayal, she can confidently say that she won't let him cheat her again.

"And here we go, here we go, down a dead-end road Another lesson in confession like I sold my soul I wanna know, wanna know how that story goes Cause if we're betting then I'm guessing that you're blowing smoke"

While her and David are a dead end, she is finally free to explore a new version of herself, and see how the story goes. However, he is still able to taunt her with "confessions" of her previous toxicity and the memories that made her who she was. This leaves her in a sort of limbo, as she moves forward to create a new version of herself while simultaneously leaving her trapped in the shadows of her past.

Track 8: Simmer by Hayley Williams

Anger is a major part of Crystal's character, and of the show in general. In Crystal's case, being with the Dead Boy Detectives allows Crystal to finally be able to channel her rage to a higher and more healthy purpose. Using anger to help deliver closure and justice, as well as protect those weaker than her rather than to lash out like she used to.

"there's so many ways to give in (Eyes closed) another way to make it to ten, oh How to draw the line between wrath and mercy? Gotta simmer, simmer, simmer, simmer, simmer down"

Crystal often gave in to anger, yelling and lashing out at those who were trying to help her. But she also learned how to use it to help other's in a similar position to her, such as Becky Aspen, who was at the mercy of a supernatural force much more powerful than herself. Allowing her rage to simmer was what created the opportunity to use her feelings as a finely honed blade, as opposed to a bludgeoning force.

"If I had seen my reflection As something more precious He would've never And if my child needed protection From a fucker like that man I'd sooner gut him ('cause nothing cuts like a mother)"

Crystal, despite putting on a brash and confident front, never truly valued herself and her life. If she had the self esteem that she gains from being apart of the Dead Boy Detectives, who love her and see her as valuable beyond being pretty and powerful, then she never would have allowed herself to be treated that way. She is able to, via solving cases, get justice for other women who were also treated poorly like she was.

Wrap yourself in petals Wrap yourself in petals (control, control) Wrap yourself in petals for armor (control, control) Petals for armor

Instead of wrapping herself in both her shallow, self obsessed lifestyle and abusive relationship as protection from how small and unlovable she feels, she is able to protect herself in another way. Her "petals" are the newfound vulnerability between her and her friends, as well as her higher purpose. These petals, instead of suffocating her, allow her to grow and change while making her stronger.

Track 9: Fools by Lauren Aquilina

This song represents my interpretation Crystal and Charles' relationship. It can be found on both playlists.

Those hardest to love need it most I watched our bodies turn to ghosts Such good friends, it has to end it always does That's the way life is Do we take that risk?

Both Charles and Crystal have aspects of themselves that are difficult to love: their anger, Charles' inability to express his pain, Crystal's selfishness. However, they have managed to become friends who care about each other. It is a risk to let people in, and both of them have been hurt in the past.

And so it all boils down to this We've got our aim but we might miss We are too fragile just to guess And I've been in this place before Fine as we are but we want more That's human nature at its best

They are both aware of their feelings, but their situation is too fragile and could lead to ruin. However, feelings are often not lead by logic, as Niko stated. Both of them say they are "fine as they are", Charles saying he is fine "as long as I got my best mate and a case to solve" while secretly hating being dead and having his future stolen from him. Crystal believes she is fine where she is without her memories and with David haunting her, but that is a lie. Both want more than their situation, but are held back.

"The two of us so out of place My feelings written on my face Got what I want but now I'm scared"

Being a human and a ghost makes relationships difficult. Crystal used to always get what she wants, but now for the first time she reflects on the consequences of her desires instead of following them blindly, showing her growth.

"What if we ruin it all, and we love like fools? And all we have we lose? And I don't want you to go but I want you so So tell me what Tell me what Tell me what we choose"

Crystal even asking this question demonstrates how she no longer thinks of just herself. Going from stealing other people's boyfriends to questioning if entering a relationship is good for the both of them is a sign of her beginning to develop a sense of awareness and compassion. This reflection leads her to stop their relationship and stay friends.

Track 10: Happy by Marina and the Diamonds

For the first time in her life, Chrystal finds herself surrounded by people she loves, and a greater purpose. This song is the reverse of Primadonna, mirroring how she used to take everything for herself, while feeling empty. But now, while she has lost everything, she is on the path of fulfillment that was not possible before.

"I found what I'd been looking for in myself Found a life worth living for someone else Never thought that I could be, I could be happy, happy"

Instead of living solely for herself, she is able to form relationships with different people and find community and peace. As opposed to before when she never considered forming real relationships with people, this is the beginning of a true happiness and not merely chasing the next high.

"So now you know, you know it all That I've been des-desperately alone I haven't found the one for me But I believe in divinity"

While she doesn't have her memories and freedom yet, she is hopeful for the future. Before she was alone and neglected, but now she has people who loves her for who she is.

"From the concrete to the coast I was looking for a holy ghost Like the land joining the sea Happiness it followed me"

Going from London to a Port Townsend, she found her holy ghost in the form of the Dead Boy Detective agency. By joining them, she is able to find joy for the first time. This happiness is what allows her to begin to make sacrifices for her friends, as she loves them and knows they have love her.

Track 11: Third Eye by Florence and the Machine

Now that she has the ability to truly self reflect, Crystal is able to begin the process of changing into a better healthier self. But more than that, she gains a community of ancestors who allow her to further come into her power.

Hey, look up! Don't make a shadow of yourself, always shutting out the light Caught in your own creation Look up, look up! It tore you open And oh, how much?

Crystal never allowed herself to feel and to be who she is, instead creating an image of herself for the others. Now that she has community, she can finally look up and truly see herself, tearing open to begin anew.

'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies And I can see it with my third eye And though my touch, it magnifies You pull away, you don't know why

Her ancestors see her and her emptiness, and through the powers past down by them she is able to see it too. Her ancestors allow her to see her mind and her powers in a new way, bringing her closer to people instead of using it to dominate. As such, instead of pulling away blindly and burying herself in admiration and material objects, she is able to see what she must do to change.

Hey, look up! You don't have to be a ghost here amongst the living You are flesh and blood And you deserve to be loved, and you deserve what you are given And oh, how much?

Challenging Crystal to see herself and the world in a new perspective, her ancestors push her to become a self actualized person. Even though she was still living, she was cutting herself off from truly feeling anything. After feeling unlovable all her life, she is finally able to truly accept other's love and protection, and to be able to give that love and protection in return.

'Cause your pain is a tribute The only thing you let hold you Wear it now like a mantle Always there to remind you

Instead of using her pain and loneliness as an excuse to go back to David and surrender to his desires, she takes the lessons she learns and becomes better and more powerful for it. Between her new friendships and her new community of family, this allows her to finally defeat David and step into a better and more secure self.

Tracks 12-16: Growing

Track 12: Bad Friend by Rina Sawayama

With her memories back, she is truly able to appreciate the horror that she was, and the full extent of her toxicity.

I'm so good at crashing in Making sparks and shit but then I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend So don't ask me where I've been Been avoiding everything 'Cause I'm a bad, I'm a bad, I'm a bad friend I'm a bad friend, yeah

Crystal is able to recognize the effect she had on other people's lives, disrupting their relationships, ruining their sense of self. While she had many people around her, like a hurricane she swept through their lives and then moved on with destruction in her wake. She did not deal with the consequences of her actions on others, choosing instead to avoid confrontation where she would have to admit her wrongs.

Put your hands up if you're not good at this stuff Put your hands up if you're not good at this stuff (I'm a bad friend, oh, bad, I'm bad

Unlike before, she is willing to admit that she wasn't a good person to be around, and to admit her faults. Being able to admit this is part of what leads her to returning to London so that she can right the wrongs there and accept responsibility for who she was.

Track 13: Better Version of Me by Fiona Apple

Accepting responsibility for her actions and her past, Crystal is able to look towards her future using the bonds she has made to begin to change.

What should I do? I'm a frightened, fickle person Fighting, cryin', kickin', cursin' What should I do?

Crystal accepts that she was a small and selfish person who lashed out at others and caused great pain. Now she must ask herself who she will become after learning this, and if she is going to stay the path she started with the agency.

I don't want a home, I'd ruin that Home is where my habits have a habit Why give it a turn?

While she is returning "home" in the sense she is going back to where she was before changing, she is not going there to settle into her old ways. Instead, she's returning to complete her transformation and break the cycle of abuse from both parents and David.

I've got a plan, a demand and it just began, And if you're right, you'll agree Here's coming a better version of me

She is returning to London with a plan. As a person, Crystal is very determined and has the conviction to follow through her resolve. By confronting her past, she will be have the opportunity to grow to her full potential.

Track 14: You Owe Me Nothing in Return by Alanis Morissette

As Crystal says goodbye to her friends, she affirms her love for them without needing anything in return, demonstrating change from selfishness and an appreciation for her newfound community.

You can speak of anger and doubts Your fears and freak outs and I'll hold it You can share your so called shame filled accounts Of times in your life and I won't judge it (And there are no strings attached to it)

Charles felt able to talk to her about his anger and doubts and she was able to listen. She also listens to Niko's feelings of fears of disappointing her mother and her grief over her father's death. Being able to listen to others is a part of her growth, instead of yelling or using people as a vehicle to feed her ego. She now loves and cherishes her friends and is willing to support them when they need her.

You owe me nothing for giving the love that I give You owe me nothing for caring the way that I have I give you thanks for receiving, it's my privilege And you owe me nothing in return

Her parents gave her all the material privileges that could be dreamed of, but never truly gave her love. Now she is able to appreciated the ultimate gift of someone's unconditional care, and she is finally able receive it and reflect it back to them.

Track 15: Rainbow by Kesha

This song represents the culmination of all of her growth and change throughout season one, as well as highlighting that she still has far to go.

"I used to live in the darkness Dress in black, act so heartless, but now I see that colors are everything Got kaleidoscopes in my hairdo Got back the stars in my eyes, too, yeah now I see the magic inside of me"

Where she used to be small, now she feels empowered to be who she is. Her friendships encourages her to see the light and color in life. The magic inside of her isn't just random power, but the love and wisdom of her ancestors. She is better in every way.

Yeah, maybe my head's fucked up But I'm falling right back in love with being alive Dreaming in light, light, lights This kitty cat lost her mind Been lookin' for a star-sent sign that I'll be alright Look to the skies

While she is horrified and ashamed of her past, she is able to look to the future instead of wallowing in her guilt. She is still capable of looking up and keeping her mind set on a higher purpose instead of reverting back to her shallow ways that weigh her down. While she is unsure of the future and her ability to fix her mistakes, she is still willing to try.

I found a rainbow, rainbow, baby Trust me, I know life is scary But just put those colors on, girl You gotta learn to let go, put the past behind you Trust me, I know, the ghosts will try to find you

As a survivor of abuse herself, Kesha is able to brilliantly discuss how even though life can be difficult and painful, there is still a purpose if you find courage and meaning. Crystal still has to be able to put the past behind her, but she has people willing to support and love her through this difficult process.

Track 17: The Foundations of Decay by My Chemical Romance

This song is found on all Charles', Crystal's, and Edwin's playlists. The final track, this song discusses where the characters will go after Niko's death, and reflecting on what they've all learned so far.

See the man who stands upon the hill He dreams of all the battles won But fate had left its scars upon his face With all the damage they had done

All of the characters have been hurt and traumatized by their past, and sometimes it is not so easily healed. Their scars also kept them from truly connecting and communicating with each other. Niko was the one who united them all with her firm believe in love and hope, as well as her ability to listen to their deepest fears.

Let our bodies lay, mark our hearts with shame Let our blood in vain, you find God in pain Now, if your convictions were a passing phase May your ashes feed the river in the morning rays And as the vermin crawls, we lay in the foundations of decay

All of the characters were rotting in their own ways before they met each other. Edwin with his denial of his feelings, not just romantically but also in all aspects of life that would lead him to feel warmth and vulnerability. Charles was rotting in a silent rage, unable to truly confront his death and all that he lost, alongside how his parents continued on happy without him while causing him so much suffering. Niko was trapped in her room unable to connect with others in the world not just due to her sprites, but through her unhealed grief and fear. Finally, Crystal was rotting away in her selfishness and inability to love and be loved. She was trapped inside her headspace because she refused to see herself, thus not recognizing her mental world as hers. This allowed David the opening to abuse and control her.

You must fix your heart And you must build an altar where it swells When the storm, it gains and the sky, it rains Let it flood, let it flood, let it wash away And as you stumble through your last crusade Will you welcome your extinction in the morning rays? And as the swarm it calls, we lay in the foundations

I believe the thesis of the Dead Boy Detectives, as well as this song, is the lyric "you must fix your heart". By allowing your old self to rot, you are able to confront your trauma and begin to heal and grow again. As the characters continue to confront their decay, they will hopefully continue to become more self actualized and healed.

#dead boy detectives #the dead boy detectives #crystal palace #dbd #edwin payne #charles rowland #niko sasaki #character playlist #this playlist may change if we GET A SEASON TWO #this is my first playlist annotation in this form so hopefully it isn't just mad ramblings #I included the songs I felt were most important in this post but tumblr only lets you attach 10 audio files so #Spotify #edwin paine

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